Sharyn

DX March 2006, Stage IIIB.

Advanved to Stage IV February 2009, mets to uterus.  June 2009 mets to lung.  Brain mets October 2009. Mets to breast & mastectomy August 2010. Brain mets February 2011.

Sharyn  

DX March 2006, Stage IIIB.

Advanved to Stage IV February 2009, mets to uterus.  June 2009 mets to lung.  Brain mets October 2009. Mets to breast & mastectomy August 2010. Brain mets February 2011.

Sharyn  

Although this is the 19th, you got your wonderful news on the 18th — my birthday! I can't think of a better way to celebrate  than to hear a fellow warrior has slayed the beast. It's like the munchkins singing "Ding dong, the wicked witch is dead". Congratulations!!! I hope you celebrated BIG TIME!!!

Hugs

Sharyn, Stage IV

Although this is the 19th, you got your wonderful news on the 18th — my birthday! I can't think of a better way to celebrate  than to hear a fellow warrior has slayed the beast. It's like the munchkins singing "Ding dong, the wicked witch is dead". Congratulations!!! I hope you celebrated BIG TIME!!!

Hugs

Sharyn, Stage IV

Hi Michelle,

I don't believe or trust any doctor who says you're "good to go". You can't take chances on melanoma. Some are lucky and get totally clear if it's caught early, but very often, all it takes is one little rogue cell that escaped the knife to gear up another army of little mel soldiers. At the very least, periodic follow-up scans and/or check-ups should be done for a few years after diagnosis and surgery. I was one who was "good to go" after a clear WLE and SNB. and 6 months later I recurred, and I've been doing one treatment afer another ever since, and I've been Stage IV since Feb 2009. Your friends should find a reputable melanoma specialist. Good luck.

Hugs

Sharyn, Stage IV

Hi Michelle,

I don't believe or trust any doctor who says you're "good to go". You can't take chances on melanoma. Some are lucky and get totally clear if it's caught early, but very often, all it takes is one little rogue cell that escaped the knife to gear up another army of little mel soldiers. At the very least, periodic follow-up scans and/or check-ups should be done for a few years after diagnosis and surgery. I was one who was "good to go" after a clear WLE and SNB. and 6 months later I recurred, and I've been doing one treatment afer another ever since, and I've been Stage IV since Feb 2009. Your friends should find a reputable melanoma specialist. Good luck.

Hugs

Sharyn, Stage IV

Hi Lisa,

I just responded to you on MNC. But I just wanted to tell you that, to the best of my knowledge, IL-2 is available in Canada, as it was offered to me before I signed on with the ipi trial. Email me  if you like.

Hugs

Sharyn, Stage IV

Hi Lisa,

I just responded to you on MNC. But I just wanted to tell you that, to the best of my knowledge, IL-2 is available in Canada, as it was offered to me before I signed on with the ipi trial. Email me  if you like.

Hugs

Sharyn, Stage IV

Hi Jimjoeb,

I don't have much more to add to what everyone else has already said, except that I agree with them all. I also wanted to reiterate what Terra said — Google the Melanoma Network of Canada and get on board. I am from Mount Pearl, NL (adjacent to St. John's), and I frequent both the MRF and the MNC sites. Both are quite good. I have been dealing with this for over 5 years, and I credit these sites as being my passport to treatment not available here in Nfld. Right now, I'm involved in a clinical trial with ipilimumab in Montreal.  Hang in there, buddy! You'll be fine!

Hugs

Sharyn, Stage IV

Hi Jimjoeb,

I don't have much more to add to what everyone else has already said, except that I agree with them all. I also wanted to reiterate what Terra said — Google the Melanoma Network of Canada and get on board. I am from Mount Pearl, NL (adjacent to St. John's), and I frequent both the MRF and the MNC sites. Both are quite good. I have been dealing with this for over 5 years, and I credit these sites as being my passport to treatment not available here in Nfld. Right now, I'm involved in a clinical trial with ipilimumab in Montreal.  Hang in there, buddy! You'll be fine!

Hugs

Sharyn, Stage IV

Hi TracyLee,

I haven't had a scapl resection, but I have had a craniotomy and brain radiation, both whole brain and SRS targeted. If you're worried about pain from the radiation, then don't! Radiation has to be the easiest, most relaxing treatment there is. Granted, the thought of what they're doing is scary, but seriously, you just lie down on the bed, they line up the rays, and shoot for however many seconds or minutes your dose is. You do nothing, you feel nothing, then you leave and go home, or back to work, or shopping — whatever you want to do. Actually, it's probably a good thing that they're radiating, just to give those stobborn mel cells an extra kick in the pants.  So rather than worry, try to be thankful for the treatment you are getting, and focus on how well you'll feel when it's all over. Try to stay positive. :>)

Hugs

Sharyn, Stage IV

Hi TracyLee,

I haven't had a scapl resection, but I have had a craniotomy and brain radiation, both whole brain and SRS targeted. If you're worried about pain from the radiation, then don't! Radiation has to be the easiest, most relaxing treatment there is. Granted, the thought of what they're doing is scary, but seriously, you just lie down on the bed, they line up the rays, and shoot for however many seconds or minutes your dose is. You do nothing, you feel nothing, then you leave and go home, or back to work, or shopping — whatever you want to do. Actually, it's probably a good thing that they're radiating, just to give those stobborn mel cells an extra kick in the pants.  So rather than worry, try to be thankful for the treatment you are getting, and focus on how well you'll feel when it's all over. Try to stay positive. :>)

Hugs

Sharyn, Stage IV

Well, hello there, Jane!  Long time, no see / hear /  read — whatever!  Great to know you're still loving life and doing well. I'm not surprised — you're such a fighter. I've had a busy year. Brain mets recurred, had a craniotomy, did a round of ipi, had a mastectomy — and all that's only since last August. I'm waiting to hear now if I go back on ipi, now that the brain has been treated. Anyway, the battle goes on, but surprisingly, I still feel great. I had no side effects with ipi, and I bounced back from all my surgeries like a rubber ball. I responded well with ipi for round 1, so I'm looking forward to round 2 to keep up the shrinkage in my lung. All other sub-qs are gone!!

Keep on enjoying your life! We miss you here on the board, but it's comforting to know you're not around for a good reason. Take care!

Hugs

Sharyn, Stage IV

Well, hello there, Jane!  Long time, no see / hear /  read — whatever!  Great to know you're still loving life and doing well. I'm not surprised — you're such a fighter. I've had a busy year. Brain mets recurred, had a craniotomy, did a round of ipi, had a mastectomy — and all that's only since last August. I'm waiting to hear now if I go back on ipi, now that the brain has been treated. Anyway, the battle goes on, but surprisingly, I still feel great. I had no side effects with ipi, and I bounced back from all my surgeries like a rubber ball. I responded well with ipi for round 1, so I'm looking forward to round 2 to keep up the shrinkage in my lung. All other sub-qs are gone!!

Keep on enjoying your life! We miss you here on the board, but it's comforting to know you're not around for a good reason. Take care!

Hugs

Sharyn, Stage IV

Yes, Terra, get a copy of the Aug MRI to compare, for sure. It's always good to have one central location for all your scans, especially when you're goinf to different centres. I know the fear of brain mets is scary, but the sooner Derek gets a report, the better chance he has of zapping the mets while they're still small — if indeed there are any at all.

Hang in there!

Hugs

Sharyn, Stage IV